skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Military Advisory Board Calls for Renewable Energy Push

play audio
Play

Wednesday, June 7, 2017   

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Fifteen retired admirals and generals have signed a report saying the United States should protect its national security by taking the lead in advanced and renewable energy.

Retired Vice Adm. Lee Gunn, vice chairman of the Military Advisory Board of nonprofit research organization CNA, said the timing's just a coincidence - days after President Trump said he wants the nation to leave the Paris climate accord. However, Gunn said it's vital for U.S. economic, diplomatic and military standing to take a leading role in the transition to wind and solar power or risk letting other countries erode our superpower status.

"China is in the first position, the European Union as a bloc is in second position, and the U.S. has surrendered leadership," Gunn said. "I don't think that means for a moment that we have to stay there."

When Trump announced his decision, one of his central arguments was that the Paris agreement weakens U.S. employment and economic strength. However, 1,100 companies, including such energy giants as ExxonMobil, have publicly stated they favor staying in the accord.

As advanced energy expands in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and other areas, the report said, the nation exporting the technology enjoys much greater influence as well as more job growth at home. By comparison, Leo Goff, a retired Navy captain and lead author of the report, said fossil-fuel exporters have leverage to bind consuming countries that haven't made the switch.

"International tethers that may not be in our best interest," he said. "Russia is positioning itself to fill a lot of those needs, as is Iran and others that don't necessarily hold our values."

Gunn said the United States can do a lot for itself by embracing the newer energy technologies.

"It's important that we lead rather than follow," he said. "When you're riding in a car, you haven't got much control - but when you're driving, you can determine the direction and the speed."

The report, available online at cna.org, was released Tuesday by CNA's Military Advisory Board, a national-security research group often seen as close to high-ranking service leadership. Active-duty officers tend to shy away from taking political positions, but sometimes will let retired officers speak for them.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …

Many factors affect a customer's bill amount, including energy usage, weather, and the number of days in a billing period, according to Arizona Public Service. (Jason Yoder/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021